It is time for the first update to Fore-All.com’s preseason predictions with the March update for Player of the Year. Our initial predictions were 1. Jeeno Thitikul, 2. Nelly Korda, 3. Lilia Vu, 4. Haeran Ryu, 5. Ruoning Yin. Will there be changes after five events? Read on to find out:
No. 5 – A Lim Kim – The current leader in the player of the year standings, A Lim Kim’s early breakout has continued her momentum from the end of 2024. Kim has a win, hasn’t finished outside the top 20 in four starts and has three top seven finishes. Her ball striking is elite and she is playing with a high level of confidence that makes her early play feel sustainable.
No. 4 – Jin Young Ko – Preseason, I had a fair amount of confidence in Jin Young Ko having a nice comeback season. So far, despite no wins, she has looked strong, with four starts and two top-10 finishes, one of which was a runner up at the Founders Cup. When the season picks back up, expect Ko to get in the winner’s circle quickly.
No. 3 – Lydia Ko – Lydia Ko was just outside my top five coming into the year, sitting at six, but her win at the HSBC Women’s World Championship has given me confidence that she can repeat her fantastic 2024. She also has an additional top 10 finish from the season-opening event. Ko currently sits at No. 2 in the player of the year rankings, and I wouldn’t expect her to move down much.
No. 2 – Nelly Korda – Korda, like last season, has played a light early schedule, skipping the entire Asian swing. What did Korda do after that break in 2024? Win five out of six events. She’s been spectacular in her two events, with elite numbers off the tee and solid putting stats. Korda has two top-10 finishes and a runner up, which should give the No. 1 player in the world a lot of confidence moving forward.
No. 1 – Jeeno Thitikul – Jeeno was the pre-season favorite in my eyes, and that has only grown in the early season. While she hasn’t won an LPGA Tour event yet (she has won on the LET) her play has been to the expected level. In three starts, Thitikul has two top-three finishes and hasn’t finished outside of the top 11. She is leading the tour in total strokes gained and top 20 in every stat other than strokes gained around the green.
